Real Madrid angered by Valencia fixture scheduled just 72 hours after AEK Athens match

Real Madrid have objected to the scheduling of their La Liga match at Valencia on Saturday, 7 November, just three days after their Champions League meeting with AEK Athens.

The decision has reportedly caused surprise and frustration among Real Madrid’s coaching staff and players, according to COPE, with the club unhappy at being asked to play two demanding away matches within 72 hours.

Real Madrid are due to visit AEK Athens in Greece on Wednesday before returning to the Spanish capital within hours of the final whistle. That leaves them with only Friday to prepare for the trip to Valencia and their next league fixture.

Club officials do not understand why the match could not have been played on Sunday. The fixture falls immediately before the international break, and Real Madrid are not scheduled to play in Europe or in the cup during the following week.

The club’s dissatisfaction is increased by the travel involved. Their run of away games will begin in Greece against AEK Athens before continuing in Valencia, where they will face the home side at Mestalla.

COPE reported that La Liga generally aims to spread fixtures across Saturday and Sunday, a practice Real Madrid believe could have allowed their match to be moved back by a day without disrupting the rest of the weekend’s schedule.

The 12th round of La Liga is scheduled to begin on Friday, 6 November, with Sevilla playing Alaves. It will conclude on Sunday, 8 November, when Atletico Madrid host Barcelona at 21:00.

Real Madrid’s view is that the Valencia match could have been staged on Sunday at either 16:00 or 18:30. The club believes either option would have provided more recovery and preparation time while leaving the organisation of the remaining fixtures unaffected.